Passbolt vs Ory: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Passbolt and Ory comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Ory wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick. Pick Passbolt if you need security.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Passbolt
Open-source, end-to-end encrypted password and secret management for teams of any size.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source nature provides transparency and auditability
- • You want strong security with end-to-end encryption and unique key architecture
Ory
Open-source identity infrastructure
Best for you if:
- • You want open source identity
- • You want self-hostable
| At a Glance | Passbolt | Ory |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Security | Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Passbolt or Ory?
Choose Passbolt if
Open-source, end-to-end encrypted password and secret management for teams of any size.
- You want open-source nature provides transparency and auditability
- You want strong security with end-to-end encryption and unique key architecture
- Your work is security-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
Choose Ory if
Open-source identity infrastructure
- You want open source identity
- You want self-hostable
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not security-shaped
| Feature | Passbolt | Ory |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 49 reviews | ★4.5/5 50 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityDeveloper Tools | Developer ToolsIdentity & Access |
In-Depth Analysis
Passbolt
Open-source, end-to-end encrypted password and secret management for teams of any size.
Passbolt offers a very generous free tier with unlimited users and core password management features, making it highly accessible.
Strengths
- +Open-source nature provides transparency and auditability.
- +Strong security with end-to-end encryption and unique key architecture.
- +Flexible deployment options: self-hosted or cloud-managed.
- +Comprehensive features for various team roles (workforce, IT, DevOps).
- +Supports fine-grained access control and audit trails.
Weaknesses
- -Minimum user count for paid plans (10 users).
- -Subscription key required for Pro version, even though it's open source.
- -Cloud hosting for Business tier is on GCP, which might not suit all sovereignty requirements (Enterprise offers sovereign cloud).
Key features
Ory
Open-source identity infrastructure
Ory's pricing is quite fair, offering a generous Free tier for up to 25,000 users, which is significantly higher than many competitors.
Watch out
Overage fees for users beyond Growth tier's included amount
Strengths
- +Open source identity
- +Self-hostable
- +Good documentation
- +Active development
- +Cloud option
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Setup complexity
- -Enterprise features paid
- -Smaller community
- -Multiple products confusing
Key features
Pricing: Passbolt vs Ory
| Plan | Passbolt | Ory |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $4.86/month per user Business | $29 month Growth |
| Tier 3 | Contact us Enterprise | custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Passbolt pricing and Ory pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Passbolt
Want the highest-rated option?
Passbolt: 4.5/5 (49 reviews). Ory: 4.5/5 (50 reviews).
Go with: Passbolt
Value user reviews?
Passbolt: 49 reviews (4.5/5). Ory: 50 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Ory
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Passbolt is a security tool. Ory is in developer tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
Ory
- Larger review base (50 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Passbolt
- Better fit for security
The Bottom Line
Ory wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Passbolt or Ory better?
Ory is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Passbolt and Ory used for?
Passbolt: Open-source, end-to-end encrypted password and secret management for teams of any size.. Ory: Open-source identity infrastructure.
What does Passbolt cost vs Ory?
Passbolt is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Ory is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.